An electric trailer brake controller is a device that installs in the cab of your tow vehicle and activates your trailer's electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes when you hit the brakes in your tow vehicle. Many models are available, and they differ from how they look to the number of brakes they can power. But all of them can be divided into 2 main groups: proportional or time delayed.
A proportional brake controller senses how the tow vehicle is slowing or stopping and applies the trailer's brakes with the same intensity. So if you slam on the brakes in your tow vehicle, the controller will activate your trailer's brakes just as forcefully. With a proportional controller, you can adjust the initial braking power and aggressiveness based on your trailer's weight and your braking preferences.
A time-delayed brake controller activates the trailer's brakes with a preset intensity (power output) and rate of application (sync), both of which are determined by you. With this type of controller, there is a delay between the time that you initially apply the brakes in your tow vehicle and the time that the controller reaches maximum power output to the trailer's brakes. However, this delay can be adjusted with the sync setting.
With a proportional brake controller, you can get heavy-duty emergency braking, general braking, or slow-to-an-idle braking for your trailer automatically. The intensity with which your trailer brakes are activated and the rate at which they are applied are dependent on the deceleration of your tow vehicle. This means that, unlike time-delay controllers - which send the same amount of preset power to your trailer brakes every time - proportional controllers are able to adapt to every braking situation differently. So if you slam on the brakes in your truck, your trailer brakes will activate with the same extreme intensity. And if you merely slow down as you approach a red light, your trailer will gradually brake in the same manner.
A proportional brake controller senses when and how your tow vehicle brakes by means of an accelerometer or an internal inertia-based sensor. The accelerometer or sensor responds to the deceleration of your tow vehicle as you brake by signaling the controller to send out enough power to your trailer brakes so that they are activated with an intensity that matches. The result is uniform braking across your towing setup. No push-pull action - just smooth, proportional braking every time.
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A time-delayed brake controller applies your trailer's brakes when the brake pedal in your tow vehicle is engaged. Every time you apply the brakes in your tow vehicle, a signal is sent - via the brake switch - to the brake controller. The controller then sends power out to your trailer brakes to activate them with an intensity set by you, at a rate determined by you. Both the amount of braking power (output) and rate of application (sync) can be adjusted to suit your preference, the road conditions, type of trailer, and size of the load. To determine which levels are best for your application, you must test out your towing setup and choose what feels best.
A time-delay controller is so named because there is a delay between the time that you initially apply the brakes in your tow vehicle and the time that the controller reaches maximum power output. Unlike a proportional brake controller, which activates your trailer's brakes based on the deceleration of your tow vehicle, a time-delayed controller sends power out in the same way, with the same gradual delay, no matter the braking situation. Although this delay always exists, it can be adjusted by changing the sync setting.
A time-delayed brake controller doesn't rely on sensing the braking motions of the tow vehicle. This allows you to mount the controller at any angle.
Most time-delayed brake controllers can allow the brakes to pulse on and off when the hazard flashers are activated and the brake controller is set aggressively. This happens because power from the brake lights can feed back into the brake controller. A pulse preventer can isolate the brake controller from the flashers and will eliminate this problem. Pulsing of the brakes when the hazard flashers are in use is not usually a problem for vehicles that have a different bulb for the stop and turn signals. You can usually identify a vehicle that has separate stop lights and turn signals because it will have amber turn signals.
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For more information about installing a trailer brake controller, see etrailer.com's article Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch.
For more information about installing a 7-way connector, see etrailer.com's installation guide Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7).
Four wire connnections are required for installation of a brake controller.
If your vehicle is equipped with a factory tow package (ie, there is a 7-way trailer connector at the rear of your vehicle), a vehicle-specific brake control wiring adapter may be available for your vehicle. With a custom adapter, the brake controller installation will be simple: just plug one end of the adapter into the controller and plug the other end into the factory connector under your vehicle's dash.
If a custom wiring adapter is not available for your vehicle, then you'll have to install the brake controller with a universal wiring harness. This harness will plug into the controller at one end, and then you'll have to splice the other end into the existing wiring on your vehicle. The chart below will help you match wire colors from the brake controller to your vehicle.
Note: Vehicle manufacturers change wiring configurations regularly, so use a circuit tester to verify all connections.
| Vehicle Make | Factory Wiring Harness Colors | Brake Controller Wiring Harness Colors | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Red | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| Light Blue | Red | Stop Light | |
| Black | White | Ground | |
| Dark Blue | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
| Brown | NA | Tail Lights | |
| New Dodge (Green Wire) | White with Red Tracer | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| Blue with White Tracer | Red | Stop Light | |
| Green with Black Tracer | White | Ground | |
| Blue | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
| Dodge | Red with Black Tracer | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| White with Tan Tracer | Red | Stop Light | |
| Black | White | Ground | |
| Blue | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
| New Ford (Pink Wire) | Pink | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| Red | Red | Stop Light | |
| White | White | Ground | |
| Blue | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
| Brown | NA | Tail Lights | |
| Ford | Red | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| Light Green | Red | Stop Light | |
| White | White | Ground | |
| Dark Blue | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
| Brown | NA | Tail Lights | |
| Toyota | Black with Red Tracer | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| Green with White Tracer | Red | Stop Light | |
| Brown | White | Ground | |
| Red | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
| Green | NA | Tail Lights | |
| Toyota (2003) and Lexus | Black | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| Green with Yellow Tracer | Red | Stop Light | |
| White with Black Tracer | White | Ground | |
| Red | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
| Green | NA | Tail Lights | |
| Nissan and Infiniti | Red | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| Red with Green Tracer | Red | Stop Light | |
| Black | White | Ground | |
| Brown with White Tracer | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
| Red with Blue Tracer | NA | Tail Lights | |
| Volkswagen and Porsche | Cavity #2 (Red with Yellow Tracer) | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| Cavity #3 (Black with Red Tracer) | Red | Stop Light | |
| Cavity #1 (Brown) | White | Ground | |
| Cavity #4 (Blue) | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
| Honda | Blue | Black | +12 Volt Power |
| White with Black Tracer | Red | Stop Light | |
| Black | White | Ground | |
| Brown with White Tracer | Blue | Trailer Brakes | |
Updated by: Raymond P.
Last updated: 10/30/18
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